direct & indirect objects
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TRANSCRIPT
Direct Objects
What are Direct Objects?
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb or shows the result of the action.
It answers the question "Who?" or "What?" after an action verb.
An action verb with a direct object is called a transitive verb.
How to Find Direct Objects1. Find the prepositional phrase(s) of the sentence and label it.
2. Next, find the subject of the sentence and label it.3. Third, find the verb, and label it as either linking or action.4. Look for the noun that receives the action of the verb. Label
it as the direct object. Remember that linking verbs CAN’T have direct OR indirect
objects. They have predicate adjectives and nouns.
A good trick to find out the direct object is to ask yourself, “what is being _______?” (insert verb here).
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
Example 1
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
Example 1
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
Subject
Example 1
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
Example 1
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Example 1
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Direct Object
Example 2
Gary likes mashed potatoes with sour
cream.
Directions: Identify the prepositional phrase, subject, verb, and direct object.
Example 2
Gary likes mashed potatoes with sour
cream.
Subject Action verb
Direct object
Preposition
Indirect Objects
What are indirect objects?
An indirect object precedes the direct object and tells to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done and who is receiving the direct object. There must be a direct object to have an indirect object. Indirect objects are usually found with verbs of giving or communicating like give, bring, tell, show, take, or offer. An indirect object is always a noun or pronoun which is not part of a prepositional phrase.
How to Find Indirect Objects
1. Find the prepositional phrase(s) of the sentence and label it.
2. Next, find the subject of the sentence and label it.3. Third, find the verb, and label it as either linking or action.4. Look for the noun that receives the action of the verb.
Label it as the direct object.5. Look for the noun that tells to whom or for whom the action
of the verb is done and who is receiving the direct object. Remember that linking verbs CAN’T have direct OR indirect
objects. They have predicate adjectives and nouns.A good trick to find out the indirect object is to ask yourself for
whom/to whom is the direct object being _______ (insert verb here).
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
Subject
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Direct Object
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Direct Object
For whom/to whom is the direct object being given?
Example
The boy gave Suzy apple baby food.
There is no prepositional phrase.
SubjectAction Verb
What is being given? The food is being
given.
Direct Object
Indirect Object
Practice
My mother gave me a shiny penny.
Directions: Identify the prepositional phrase, subject, verb, direct object, and indirect object.
Practice
My mother gave me a shiny penny.
Directions: Identify the prepositional phrase, subject, verb, direct object, and indirect object.
Subject
Action Verb
Indirect Object
Direct Object